The second part of the EU Mobility Package is applicable from February

Homewards requirement

Trucks are required, without exception, to return every eight weeks to the registered address of the carrier or owner. This rule is expected to have a major impact on the available road transport capacity on the market. And because of that, also on the transport costs.

Cooling down for cabotage

Further requirements are imposed on cabotage transport with a cooling down period for cabotage. This means that a maximum of three rides are allowed within seven days. Three rides are followed by a required four day cooling down period.

Combined transport

In the future combined transport will be like cabotage and will therefore be subject to the same restrictions in terms of number of rides, driving days and the cooling down period. This requirement will also influence freight capacity and the costs of road transport. 

Minimum wage and registration requirements

A requirement is being introduced to pay truck drivers at least the minimum wage as set in the EU member state where he or she carriers out cabotage, combined- or international cross border transport. For example: a Polish driver operating between Denmark and Germany will receive the minimum wage in effect during the activity in both countries. This requirement will also lead to an increase of costs. 

These transports must be registered in a European IT system, the so-called Internal Market Information system (IMI). Read more about the IMI system here.

Adapted documentation-requirements

Additional mandatory requirements for carriers due to stricter documentation requirements. A sharpening from the current requirements. 

Changes in taxation

As a result of the implementation of the EU Mobility Package, changes are being made in the taxation on the wages of truck drivers in several East European countries, meaning that the gross costs for carriers from these countries are expected to increase by at least 36%. This is applying to Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. 

With the introduction of the new and stricter rules for European road transport we are confronted with far-reaching changes. At this point we don’t know all the costs or further implications of the new rules. However, we see less willingness among many international carriers to continue carrying out their activities as we used to. 

In our view, these rules are therefore not in line with the current capacity and environmental challenges that we face as an industry. We have, of course, expressed our concerns to the authorities and politicians involved. 

The total package of measures has a major impact on available transport capacity, resulting in an unavoidable cost increase. We will monitor this development continuously as from 1 February. From February 14, we will introduce a surcharge as a result of these changing laws and regulations. We will determine the amount of this surcharge based on the first two weeks of February. We will monitor these market developments closely and will make adjustments where possible. 

DSV will do its utmost to maintain our freight capacity in the future. In the meantime we are ready to answer all your questions about the subject.